Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Spira S-400 MBK

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Spira S-400 MBK with a Spira S-400 MBK. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203, Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker), Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 as boost

Crushing mid-tempo thrash rhythm with tight palm mutes and aggressive upper-mid bite

Amp settings — Spira S-400 MBK

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	6
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Spira S-400 MBK? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9 or clone)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the tight, focused JCM800 thrash sound. Run into amp input. Use low drive/high level as a clean boost to tighten low end and push the preamp.

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Spira S-400 MBK is unfamiliar gear with no documented voicing profile. I've provided settings based on a neutral solid-state or modeling amp baseline. The original JCM800 is mid-forward with tight low end; if your amp sounds muddy, cut bass by 1-2 and push mids. Without the TS9 boost, your palm mutes will lack definition — a cheap TS clone is the single most important addition for this tone.

PRO TIPLock your picking hand into strict downstrokes just behind the bridge pickup and dig in hard — Hetfield's attack is the secret weapon. The gallop rhythm is all downstrokes, not alternate picking, which gives it that punishing, unified wall of sound.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Spira S-400 MBK. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.